Ballad of the Desert

Chapter 27: An Argument

Because I was convalescing, Huo Qu Bing rarely went back to his own estate so that he could spend as much time with me as possible. He's here almost daily, and we both go out of our way to avoid discussing certain things. All we do is try to make the other person happy, and to hide any unhappiness. It's as if his only purpose right now is to make sure I get better, and we've both purposely forgotten the reason I got sick in the first place. At least, we try to pretend we've forgotten.

I've laid on a pallet for nearly half a month now and the new year is upon us before I can get up and move around. I look at myself in the mirror and notice that my face has expanded by an entire size. I put my hand under my chin and press on my cheeks. Yup, chubby. "Looks like I won't be able to fit into the new outfit I had made just for the new year." Xing Yen was snerking off the to side "How could you NOT gain weight? It's like General Huo has been daily feeding a....." I glared at her and made a slashing gesture on my neck to indicate she better shut up. I don't care if they laugh about me behind my back, but she better not dare say that word in front of me now.

"It's not I who said it, it's Hong Gu who said it. General Huo is no longer a general these days, he's become a pig farmer. All day long he asks "What has Yu Er eaten today?" "How much has she eaten?" "She needs more nutritious foods."...." Xing Yen stuck her tongue out at me and skipped out of the room. Too bad she ran into into an arriving Huo Qu Bing, causing her face to lose all color. Immediately she kneeled on the ground and bowed her head. I was planning to get her back for what she just said, but now I just clap and laugh at her "You totally got your just desserts!"

Huo Qu Bing glanced over Xing Yen and smiled at me "Guess who I brought to see you?" I thought for a moment and my heart leaped "Ri Chan?" Huo Qu Bing nodded and opened the curtain behind him "Welcome honored guest! Someone didn't even blink when she saw me, but the moment she heard it was you, her two eyes lit up."

I shot a look at Huo Qu Bing and told a kneeling Xing Yen "Tell the kitchen to make a few dishes and....ask Hong Gu if there is any wine from the Xi Yu region and bring some here." Ri Chan is wearing a white fox fur cloak and he slowly walked inside. My heart swelled leaving me unable to find a single word to say. All I can do is stare at him and dumbly smile. Memories from my childhood come flooding back: passionate and impetuous Yu Dan, mischievous and difficult Mu Da Duo, and a wise-beyond-his-years Ri Chan.

Ri Chan also silently stared at me, finally smiling and nodding his head "Your being alive makes me so happy." I also smile and nod my head "Seeing you again also makes me so happy." A million words we want to say, and all we can say is a simple "happy".

Huo Qu Bing leaned on the pallet "Are you guys planning to just stand there and talk all day?" Ri Chan smiled and took off his cloak and placed it next to Huo Qu Bing's black ermine cloak, then joining him on the pallet. I help Xing Yen place the food on the table and then Huo Qu Bing pulls me down to sit next to him. His hand remains on my waist, but since Ri Chan is here, I'm embarrassed and try to shake him off. Ri Chan shook his head and smiled "This is the first time I've ever seen her blush. Looks like General Huo isn't just capable at fighting wars, you also managed to tame this difficult girl."

Huo Qu Bing actually had an uncharacteristically modest expression and just lowered his head and drank his cup of wine. I place a cup in front of Ri Chan and pour him some wine "The moment we reunite and you're already saying mean things about me. Your punishment is to drink." Ri Chan doesn't decline and picks up his cup and downing the wine. He softly said "I'm sorry" and I shook my head "No need to say that. There was nothing you could have done back then."

Ri Chan smiled but it was a forlorn smile. He poured himself another cup "Do you know that Mu Da Duo has married Yi Zhi Xie?" I play with the empty cup in my hand "I've seen them, and I accidentally shot an arrow into Mu Da Duo."